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Blazers’ Harkless Explains Neither Lillard or Westbrook will ‘Back Down’

After Game 3, The Athletic’s Jason Quick spoke with Blazers forward Maurice Harkless about the feud between Damian Lillard and Russell Westbrook.

By Steve Dewald

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Oklahoma City Thunder v Portland Trail Blazers - Game One Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images

The first week of the 2019 NBA Playoffs produced plenty of drama, but one of the most intriguing storylines that emerged is the bad blood between the Trail Blazers and Thunder. Nestled at the heart of that burgeoning rivalry is two All-Star point guards in Damian Lillard and Russell Westbrook. Lillard, who has shaken off a dismal 2018 postseason, posted two 30-point outings in the series’ first three games. On Friday, Westbrook bounced back from a less-than-ideal Game 2 to lead all scorers with 33 points.

After the game, The Athletic’s Jason Quick spoke with Blazers forward Moe Harkless about the intense matchup between Lillard and Westbrook.

“I think it’s one of the things that’s just going to come with the series, and the longer it goes, the more you are probably going to see it,” Harkless said. “It’s two competitive guys and neither one of them guys is going to back down.”

The duel between Lillard and Westbrook is set to resume on Sunday when the Thunder and Blazers engage in a decisive Game 4 in Oklahoma City.

You can read Quick’s full article at The Athletic (subscription required).

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